as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly
the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in spendthrift
someone who spends money freely or foolishly
the million-dollar lottery winner was such a prodigal that his windfall was exhausted after only a few years
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prodigal
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
The neighbourhood is back to its usual bustle — and proud as ever of its prodigal son.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 6 July 2024
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025
After all, there’s always one prodigal — one unstable element who’s removed themself as far as possible from the precarious family mixture.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prodigal
Adjective
First, the show’s barnburner opening number is followed by a very, very, very long group performance at the show’s midpoint after prodigal son Johnny’s arrival.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
The neighbourhood is back to its usual bustle — and proud as ever of its prodigal son.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 6 July 2024
Noun
Instead, all the adulation is directed toward Charlotte’s prodigal adopted son, the guy who holds more than his share of team records and is considered by many to be the best player in franchise history.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2025
After all, there’s always one prodigal — one unstable element who’s removed themself as far as possible from the precarious family mixture.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prodigal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigal
Adjective
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In fact, state housing finance agencies do this all the time for wasteful Low Income Housing Tax (LIHTC) apartment buildings which create no equity for residents at all.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Trump has described the federal government as bloated and wasteful.—
Lucia Mutikani,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Bucs came through three spendthrift seasons with Tom Brady, winning Super Bowl 55 then trying to defend that title, which proved unsuccessful.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2025
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The week the time changes might be best focused on spendthrifts.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Henry Muck, suitably nicknamed Prince Hal by his family and friends, may be Industry’s version of the ultimate privileged wastrel.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2024
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Atay lingers on the outskirts, keeping the company of workers and wastrels, poets and drunks—all those who refuse the monumental transformations of Turkish society.—
Merve Emre,
The New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2024
Noun
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For example, default settings for focus time added blocking of sites in the categories Shopping, Tabloids, and Time wasters.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
13 Jan. 2025
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Photo: Brown Harris Stevens Above the bedroom is a double-height library, which turns the sloping ceiling behind a mansard roof into a design feature rather than a space waster.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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In some ways, the game was set up for him, with Villa profligate but still regularly creating chances.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
18 Aug. 2024
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The monarchy and the British government, which provides significant financial support for the institution, have long faced a careful balancing act: Both have worked to maintain the pomp and circumstance of the institution while avoiding looking profligate.—
WSJ,
WSJ,
14 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Prodigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigal. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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